A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ghent vs. Cork for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Ghent or Cork?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Cork. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Ghent

Ghent is a historic, under-rated, and youthful city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cork

Cork is a youthful, energetic, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Ghent and Cork: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ghent or Cork?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cork than Ghent. While Ghent is larger than Cork, Cork has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cork is more popular for its big city activities, while Ghent is known for its nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets Cork is popular for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer. It is also home to The Blarney Castle and Stone.

How is Ghent different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cork and Ghent. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ghent or Cork?

Both Ghent and Cork have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ghent. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Cork offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Is the Food Better in Ghent or Cork? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Ghent and Cork both to be very good destinations.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Ghent makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Cork has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for Nightlife?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Ghent is a world class party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Cork has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for its Old Town?

Ghent is notable for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

Ghent is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Cork?

Both Ghent and Cork are very good shopping destinations.

Ghent is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

Cork is well-known for its shopping. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for Families?

Both Ghent and Cork are good family-friendly destinations.

Ghent is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Cork is a family-friendly city. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for Couples?

Ghent and Cork both very good destinations for a couple.

Ghent is a very popular place to visit for couples. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

Cork makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Ghent and Cork are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for Students?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Ghent is a very popular city for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Many students visit Cork. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Is Ghent or Cork Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Ghent has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Ghent or Cork a more walkable city?

Ghent is notable for its walkability. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ghent Worth Visiting? and Is Cork Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cork or Ghent?

How long in Ghent or Cork?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Ghent and Cork. In our opinion, Ghent has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Ghent than Cork. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Ghent than Cork. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ghent, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Ghent than Cork. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ghent that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ghent than Cork if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ghent.

One day in Ghent or Cork?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Ghent. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Cork, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this seaside destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Ghent or Cork?

Ghent is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cork. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Ghent or Cork?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the high energy destination of Ghent. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cork is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Cork. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Ghent or Cork?

The youthful city of Ghent offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Cork. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Cork, we can see that Ghent is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent than you might in Cork.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ghent Expensive? and Is Cork Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ghent or Cork?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Ghent and Cork, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ghent or Cork?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ghent or Cork in the Summer?

Both Cork and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cork because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Ghent is around the same temperature as Cork in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. Ghent usually receives more sunshine than Cork during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Cork. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Cork in the Autumn?

Both Cork and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

In the autumn, Ghent is around the same temperature as Cork. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Cork averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Ghent often gets more sunshine than Cork. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Cork. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Cork in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Cork. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. In January, Ghent is generally much colder than Cork. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Cork during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.

Cork receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Cork. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Cork in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Cork. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Cork in the spring for the activities around the city.

Ghent is around the same temperature as Cork in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Ghent often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cork. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun.

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Cork. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cork and Ghent